Sen. John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer

U.S. Sen. John McCain, who has survived a Vietnam War prison camp, melanoma and Democrats is battling a new foe — brain cancer.

The longtime Arizona lawmaker and one-time Republican presidential nominee was diagnosed with the disease after doctors removed a related blood clot Friday in Phoenix.

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McCain's family rallied around him Wednesday, and said he was dealing with the discovery better than everybody else.

"The news of my father's illness has affected every one of us in the McCain family. My grandmother, mother, brothers, sisters and I have all endured the shock of the news, and we live with the anxiety about what comes next," his daughter Meghan McCain said in a statement.

"It is an experience familiar to us, given my father's previous battle with cancer."

McCain — the maverick senator who was the GOP presidential nominee in 2008 — was diagnosed with melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, in 2000.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been diagnosed with brain cancer. (Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)

He had three malignant lesions removed in 1993, 2000 and 2002.

McCain, 80, underwent surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona last Friday to remove a blood clot from his left eye. Those lab results detected a glioblastoma.

Glioblastomas are highly aggressive and can be found in the brain or the spinal cord, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.

A statement from the senator's office says the former prisoner of war is recovering "amazingly well."

The senator made headlines in June when he mistakenly referred to former-FBI Director James Comey as "President" while questioning him during his testimony before Congress.

Sen. John McCain underwent surgery last week to remove a blood clot from his left eye. (Brian Snyder/REUTERS)

The well wishes came pouring in from throughout the political world, including from President Trump, who offended veterans during the election when he said McCain was not a war hero because he was captured.

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"Sen. John McCain has always been a fighter," Trump said. "Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Sen. McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon."

Former President Barack Obama — who defeated McCain in the 2008 election — tweeted his regards.

"John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John," he wrote.

The Clintons also extended caring words. "As he's shown his entire life, don't bet against John McCain," former President Bill Clinton tweeted. "Best wishes to him for a swift recovery."

"John McCain is as tough as they come," tweeted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who served in the Senate with McCain. "Thinking of John, Cindy, their wonderful children, & their whole family tonight."

One of McCain's closest friends in the Senate, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said he briefly spoke to his fellow lawmaker about the diagnosis on the phone Wednesday night.

"He says, 'I've been through worse,'" Graham told reporters.

"God knows how this ends, but I do know this. This disease has never had a more worthy opponent," he added.